JUMPING

Might as well, as Van Halen would say. We launched the Slash and Stampede off a variety of natural and man-made jumps, including plastic skateboard ramps.

SLASH 4X4 The Slash jumps well, but the notorious “parachute effect” created by air trapped under the big body causes the nose of the truck to lift once it leaves the ground. Its smaller tires have less rotating mass than the Stampede, so in-air corrections with the throttle and brake aren’t as responsive. The Slash is also more prone to chassis slap. The suspension is as effective as the Stampede’s, but those smaller tires simply mean the chassis is closer to the ground on every touchdown.

STAMPEDE 4X4 The Stampede loves to jump. The narrow body doesn’t scoop air, so the truck flies true, and landings are as smooth as butter. The Stampede’s big tires make it more responsive to mid-air corrections with the throttle and brake, but extreme inputs can cause the truck to over-rotate—easy does it.